SENATE BILL 412

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

INTRODUCED BY

Cliff R. Pirtle

AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE; AMENDING THE PHYSICAL THERAPY ACT TO ALLOW PHYSICAL THERAPISTS TO ORDER MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING EXAMINATIONS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. Section 61-12D-1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1997, Chapter 89, Section 1) is amended to read:

     "61-12D-1. SHORT TITLE.--[This act] Chapter 61, Article 12D NMSA 1978 may be cited as the "Physical Therapy Act"."

     SECTION 2. Section 61-12D-3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1997, Chapter 89, Section 3) is amended to read:

     "61-12D-3. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Physical Therapy Act:

          A. "assistive personnel" means physical therapist assistants, physical therapy aides and other assistive personnel;

          B. "board" means the physical therapy board;

          C. "other assistive personnel" means trained or educated personnel, other than physical therapist assistants or physical therapy aides, who perform specific, designated tasks related to physical therapy under the supervision of a physical therapist. At the discretion of the supervising physical therapist and if not prohibited by any other law, it may be appropriate for other assistive personnel to be identified by the title specific to their training or education;

          D. "person" means an individual or other legal entity, excluding a governmental entity;

          E. "physical therapist" means a person who is licensed in this state to practice physical therapy;

          F. "physical therapist assistant" means a person who performs physical therapy procedures and related tasks pursuant to a plan of care written by the supervising physical therapist;

          G. "physical therapy" means the care and services provided by or under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist;

          H. "physical therapy aide" means a person, trained under the direction of a physical therapist, who performs designated and supervised routine physical therapy tasks;

          I. "practice of physical therapy" means:

                (1) examining and evaluating patients with mechanical, physiological and developmental impairments, functional limitations and disabilities or other health-related conditions in order to determine a physical therapy diagnosis, prognosis and planned therapeutic intervention;

                (2) alleviating impairments and functional limitations by designing, implementing and modifying therapeutic interventions that include therapeutic exercise; functional training in self-care and community or work reintegration; manual therapy techniques, including soft tissue and joint mobilization and manipulation; therapeutic massage; assistive and adaptive devices and equipment; bronchopulmonary hygiene; debridement and wound care; physical agents; mechanical and electrotherapeutic modalities; and patient-related instruction;

                (3) preventing injury, impairments, functional limitations and disability, including the promotion and maintenance of fitness, health and quality of life in all age populations; [and]

                (4) engaging in consultation, testing, education and research; and

                (5) ordering magnetic resonance imaging examinations to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of physical therapy patients; and

          J. "restricted license" means a license to which restrictions or conditions as to scope of practice, place of practice, supervision of practice, duration of licensed status or type or condition of patient or client served are imposed by the board."

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